WOJCIECH SZCZESNY believes Arsenal are rediscovering the resilience required for a top-four finish.

Published 28th December 2014

The Gunners held on for a 2-1 win over QPR on Boxing Day - despite being reduced to ten men early in the second half when Olivier Giroud was sent off for a headbutt.

And to collect a fifth win in seven league games in the face of adversity is proof, according to keeper Szczesny, that Arsene Wenger's men can produce a stubborn streak when its needed.

The victory means the north Londoners are back in sixth place ahead of today's trip to West Ham, who are one point and one place better off in the table.

TOUGH: Szczesny reckons Arsenal are tough enough for a good end to the season [GETTY]

“We defended really well. When they scored we knew we were in for a hard time but they didn't really create anything afterwards. That's a positive”

Wojciech Szczesny

But with seven points taken from a possible nine since their disastrous away day defeat at Stoke three weeks ago, the whole picture in the race for Champions League qualification looks considerably healthier in N5.

Polish stopper Szczesny, 24, said: "I thought under pressure in those last 10 or 15 minutes against QPR, we defended really well. When they scored we knew we were in for a hard time but they didn't really create anything afterwards. That's a positive.

"We put ourselves under pressure with the sending off. We should have finished the game off much earlier but in the end it was a very important three points.

"It's huge for us because we know we have another massive game in two days' time. We're going to have to recover quickly and we will have to be at our best again because West Ham have been brilliant recently.

"It's going to be difficult but I'm hoping for another three points."

French striker Giroud will be missing as he begins a three-match ban for violent conduct. But fellow countryman Mathieu Debuchy has refused to point any finger of blame.

The Arsenal defender admitted: "No, Olivier did not speak in the dressing room afterwards. It was a hard moment for him.

"It is difficult to keep a cool head on the pitch sometimes but we are professionals and we need to keep calm. However, everybody has a temper, so it is not always easy to stay calm."